Module description
How legitimate are International Organisations (IOs), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisations (WTO) at the global level; and the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) at the regional level? For years IOs were assumed to be able to provide 'global solutions to global problems'. Yet across the world nationalism and protectionism are on the rise. Examples range from former US President Trump's policies and diplomatic style, unilateral withdrawals from international agreements as exemplified by Brexit, and growing popular support across the world for anti-globalist populist and authoritarian elites.
Through a focus on both elites and citizens, this module provides a systematic theoretical and empirical analysis of the democratic legitimacy of international cooperation. It examines the contemporary crisis of legitimacy of international governance drawing upon cutting-edge research from comparative politics, political behaviour, and International Relations literatures. It addresses a series of questions, such as: In what ways do elite communications politicise international cooperation? What types of grievances do citizens have vis-a-vis IOs? Are there gaps between elite and citizen perceptions toward international organizations? To what extent are governments responsive to citizens' preferences for international cooperation? It will further analyse these themes through an in-depth examination of three case studies that have posed serious challenges to globalisation and the support for multilateral cooperation.
These include (1) the Eurozone crisis as a threat to fiscal integration; (2) Brexit in the United Kingdom as a case of IO disintegration; and (3) the US-China trade war as a case of protectionism. The last week will explore whether IOs are in decline and what may explain the death of some
Assessment details
3,000-word essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
The module aims to
- Introduce and contextualise the backlash against international cooperation in the Western world
- Provide an analysis of the key theories associated with the democratic legitimacy of international collaboration
- Evaluate the strengths and limitations of these theories against empirical data related to both elites and citizens.
- Examine core case studies of anti-globalisation backlash and evaluate their implications in terms of the viability of international cooperation
Learning outcomes
By completing this module, students will:
- Recognise and summarize fundamental theories related to the democratic legitimacy of international cooperation
- Evaluate and assess issues relating to elite politicisation of international cooperation
- Critically assess different models of public opinion formation on international cooperation, including on referendums related to international matters.
- Explore and assess patterns of elite representation and responsiveness to citizens? preferences for international cooperation.
- Analyse the dynamics of core case studies of anti-globalisation backlash.
This module will also equip students with a range of key transferable skills, including the ability to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge to several cases of backlash against international cooperation
- Construct well-rounded and balanced arguments.
- Critically assess what type of information is needed to construct an argument.
- Show independent research skills and evaluate the appropriateness of different research methods in the study of the democratic legitimacy of international cooperation.
- Write essays that reflect a critical engagement with the literature and the empirical evidence.
- Work individually and as part of a team.
- Improve their communication skills by participating in class discussions.
Teaching pattern
1H lecture and 1H seminar each week for 10 weeks
Indicative Teaching Schedule:
- Introduction: Why is democratic legitimacy important to IOs?
- Economic grievances vis-à-vis IOs
- Cultural grievances vis-à-vis IOs
- Elites’ Politicisation and partisan contestation of IOs
- Referendums on international cooperation matters
- Representation, responsive governance, and pledge fulfilment
- Case study 1: The Eurozone crisis
- Case study 2: Brexit
- Case study 3: US-China trade war
- Why do some IOs live longer than others?
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
- Copelovitch, M., Pevehouse, J.C.W. 2019. International organizations in a new era of populist nationalism. Rev Int Organ 14: 169–186.
- De Vries, C.E. 2018. Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Dellmuth, L.M., Scholte, J.A., Tallberg, J., Verhaegen, S. 2022. Citizens, Elites, and the Legitimacy of Global Governance. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Schneider, C. 2019. The Responsive Union. National Elections and European Governance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Vasilopoulou, S. 2018. Far right parties and Euroscepticism: patterns of opposition. London: ECPR press/Rowman & Littlefield.
- Vasilopoulou, S. & Talving, L. 2020. Poor versus rich countries: a gap in public attitudes towards fiscal solidarity in the EU. West European Politics 43:4, 919-943.
- Walter, S. 2021. The Backlash Against Globalization. Annual Review of Political Science 24: 421–442.